It is a great honor and privilege to be serving as the Councilor of the South Carolina Alpha Chapter of Alpha Omega Alpha. Our chapter has been active at the local and national levels since the early 1950's. We have a long history of excellent Councilors such as Dr. Biemann Othersen, M.D.,Dr. Gabriel Virella, MD, PhD, andStephen I. Schabel, MD, to name a few. I hope to uphold the high standard they have set for the organization. AOA's mission is to be a rising voice for professionalism, for advocating the highest ethical standards in medicine, for recognizing the importance of optimal patient care, and for emphasizing the need for continuing scholarship and academic achievements. Unfortunately, all too often AOA is only associated with excellent academic achievement, and the true mission of AOA is lost. In our chapter, we continue to balance that achievement with service work, advocacy and a focus on professionalism. Take a few minutes to view our website. Do not hesitate to contact me or the officers if you have questions about AOA. For those students, residents, and faculty that are not members, keep an eye out for writing, scholarship, and research opportunities that are open to all. We look forward to seeing many of you at our regular monthly meetings and events.

Best,

Christopher Pelic, M.D., Alpha Chapter of South Carolina Councilor and Associate Dean for Student Career Planning and Advising